Too many want to be Umno No 2

THERE is a Malay proverb which goes like this: Ukur baju di badan sendiri.

In the context of the increasing number of Umno leaders who are aspiring to contest the party’s deputy presidency, it roughly translates as one should assess his own capabilities before even thinking of declaring his intention to vie for the coveted position.

It appears that some Umno leaders have the impression that the contest for the party’s number two position merely involves putting themselves forward to fill a slot that will soon be vacant.

They are offering themselves because Datuk Seri Najib Razak is not expected to seek re-election as deputy president in the March party election, since he has been slated — some would say pushed — to go for the post of party president, on the assumption that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would be willing to give up his position.

Abdullah is expected to announce his decision whether to seek re-election or not before the divisions begin holding their annual meetings on Thursday.

Many senior party leaders have said that Abdullah had indicated he was not interested in contesting in the March party polls.

The recent announcements and indications of interest in the deputy president’s post have had many people inside and outside Umno shaking their heads in disbelief.